Jay Shetty PodcastBert Kreischer: The Truth about ''The Machine'' Story..
Jay Shetty and Bert Kreischer on bert Kreischer on fame, family, anxiety, and comedic resilience lessons.
In this episode of Jay Shetty Podcast, featuring Bert Kreischer and Jay Shetty, Bert Kreischer: The Truth about ''The Machine'' Story.. explores bert Kreischer on fame, family, anxiety, and comedic resilience lessons Kreischer explains how a “show up no matter what” mindset—learned from his tough-love father—became the engine behind his longevity in comedy and his willingness to take pressure-filled opportunities.
At a glance
WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT
Bert Kreischer on fame, family, anxiety, and comedic resilience lessons
- Kreischer explains how a “show up no matter what” mindset—learned from his tough-love father—became the engine behind his longevity in comedy and his willingness to take pressure-filled opportunities.
- He describes a marriage built on constant teasing, laughter, and clear boundaries about what’s fair game in comedy—especially ensuring jokes land with love rather than cruelty.
- He revisits pivotal moments of father-son healing, including witnessing his dad cry, a candid conversation while high that revealed fear and love beneath emotional distance, and how fame changed their dynamic.
- Kreischer details how persistence and humility turned a crushing birthday call from his dad into nightly hustle that eventually led to a six-figure development deal after being discovered by Will Smith.
- He opens up about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, fear of flying, and alcohol as a coping mechanism—sharing practical self-talk and movement-based strategies to manage spirals and improve day-by-day.
IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING
5 ideasConsistency creates luck: show up even when you don’t feel ready.
Kreischer credits his dad’s rule—work doesn’t stop for sickness, fear, or discomfort—as the reason opportunities compound; if you skip the stage/meeting/audition, “everything that could make your life great just disappears.”
Pressure can be a performance advantage if you trust your preparation.
He describes bombing before his first Netflix special and then delivering the best set of his career in the final taping; the belief “you love pressure” helped him convert stress into focus rather than panic.
Healing with parents may come from context and actions, not only big talks.
While Kreischer doesn’t always have direct emotional conversations with his dad, moments like seeing him cry, learning his backstory (losing his father young), and taking concrete steps (cardiologist tests) softened resentment and built closeness.
Approval-seeking can be reframed into service: make people feel good.
He admits his drive is tied to wanting his dad—and audiences—to like him, but he channels it into giving crowds a great time rather than obsessing about being “the best” comic.
Persistence beats talent-gatekeeping when you’re willing to be rejected repeatedly.
After his dad’s brutal birthday wake-up call, he returned to the same club night after night until he earned stage time; the “keep asking until you break them” approach created momentum that later led to Will Smith discovering him.
WORDS WORTH SAVING
5 quotes"If you don't get on stage, if you don't show up to work, all the stuff that could possibly make your life great just disappears."
— Bert Kreischer
"I leaned over to him. I go, 'Why don't you like me?' ... and he just goes... He's like, 'I love you. You just make me uncomfortable.'"
— Bert Kreischer
"My whole life. My whole life. ... all I've ever wanted is that man's approval. That's it. That's it."
— Bert Kreischer
"Be undeniable."
— Bert Kreischer
"Let's do today just a little better than we did yesterday."
— Bert Kreischer
QUESTIONS ANSWERED IN THIS EPISODE
5 questionsWhat parts of the “Machine” story’s virality were intentional strategy versus pure timing, and what did you learn about the internet compared to TV audiences?
Kreischer explains how a “show up no matter what” mindset—learned from his tough-love father—became the engine behind his longevity in comedy and his willingness to take pressure-filled opportunities.
You say your wife allows anything “as long as it’s funny and not mean”—how do you test whether a bit is playful vs. hurtful before it goes in a special?
He describes a marriage built on constant teasing, laughter, and clear boundaries about what’s fair game in comedy—especially ensuring jokes land with love rather than cruelty.
In the Will Smith era, what exactly did he teach you about pitching—structure, energy, or story—and what do you still use today?
He revisits pivotal moments of father-son healing, including witnessing his dad cry, a candid conversation while high that revealed fear and love beneath emotional distance, and how fame changed their dynamic.
You’ve described anxiety rituals around flying and intrusive thoughts—what are your top 3 most reliable interventions when you feel a spiral starting mid-flight?
Kreischer details how persistence and humility turned a crushing birthday call from his dad into nightly hustle that eventually led to a six-figure development deal after being discovered by Will Smith.
When your daughter said, “It would be nice to have my dad sometimes,” how did that change your approach to fans asking for photos during family time?
He opens up about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, fear of flying, and alcohol as a coping mechanism—sharing practical self-talk and movement-based strategies to manage spirals and improve day-by-day.
Chapter Breakdown
Plane-seat meetup, mutual admiration, and Bert’s “talker on a plane” energy
Jay and Bert open by recalling the flight where they met and instantly clicked. They riff on first impressions, confidence vs. charm, and how Bert’s personality “explains itself” immediately.
Wild plane stories: temptation, misunderstandings, and celebrity drinking (Ric Flair)
Bert launches into outrageous plane and travel stories that highlight his comedic honesty and marriage boundaries. The stories mix absurdity with a recurring theme: he’s loyal, but often comically clueless in the moment.
Marriage built on laughter: playful roasting, therapy-as-competition, and family “bullies”
Bert explains that his marriage works because it’s rooted in constant joking and shared humor. He describes how his wife and daughters roast him relentlessly, creating a culture of playful honesty at home.
Not the class clown: serious kid energy that accidentally read as funny
Bert says he wasn’t the obvious funny kid—he was intensely serious, which made his behavior unintentionally comedic. He shares early moments where his desire to be “cool” became the joke.
How Bert learned storytelling: all-boys school “table currency” and crafting lines
Bert credits his all-boys Catholic high school for developing his storytelling chops. Social status depended on holding attention at the lunch table, so he practiced structure, punchlines, and timing daily.
Tough-love fatherhood: ‘don’t cry,’ work ethic, and a blunt worldview
Bert describes a dad who loved him but showed it through toughness, duty, and emotional restraint. The upside became grit; the downside became fear, anxiety, and a lifelong hunger for approval.
Seeing his dad cry & the ‘weed popcorn’ breakthrough: fear, love, and reconnection
Two moments shift Bert’s understanding of his father: seeing him cry, and later a vulnerable conversation while high that reveals his dad’s fear of losing him. That honesty leads to health tests and a smoother relationship.
Approval-seeking, fame shifting the power dynamic, and sharing success with parents
Bert admits his career has been fueled by wanting his dad’s approval. As he becomes successful, his dad struggles with not having all the answers, while also enjoying the trickle-down recognition.
Will Smith deal as a turning point: humility, persistence, and ‘be yourself’
Bert recounts a brutal birthday call from his dad that forces him to pursue comedy with discipline. Persistent nightly asking gets him stage time—then Will Smith discovers him, changing both his career and how his dad sees him.
Pressure as fuel: following ‘unfollowable’ acts, bombing, and performing best when it counts
Bert explains how pressure reliably brings out his best work, a belief reinforced by his dad and wife. He shares moments where high stakes created breakthroughs in performance and career decisions.
Laughing through pain: grandmother’s funeral, family grief, and letting kids see you cry
Bert explores humor as a coping tool and how grief and love can coexist with laughter. He shares poignant stories about family loss and parenting differently than his dad by allowing emotion in front of his daughters.
Comedy craft and permission: what’s allowed about family material & telling jokes with love
Bert explains the rules for joking about his wife and family: it has to be funny, not mean, and delivered with clear affection. He also reflects on the responsibility of jokes that accidentally exclude or hurt.
Kids and fame: wanting ‘just my dad,’ college visits, and boundaries with fans
Bert describes how recognition impacts his daughters, especially during vulnerable moments. He struggles to say no to fans, while his kids sometimes feel they’re competing with the public for his attention.
‘Lucky’ special, the dog-story closer, and creative anxiety about relevance
Bert details the risk of ending a special with emotional material and his fear of being mocked for it. The audience response—laughing and crying—validates the creative leap and eases his anxiety about staying relevant.
Mental health, coping tools, alcohol, and fitness tracking: ‘do today a little better’ + Final Five
Bert opens up about anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and the coping strategies he uses—some healthier than others. He discusses alcohol as ritual/permission, tracking fitness with Whoop, and closes with Jay’s Final Five questions.
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